Has anyone here ever done the Alexander Technique?

Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 08:10 PM
Original message

Has anyone here ever done the Alexander Technique?

A friend of mine, who is a professor of homiletics, has started encouraging his students to learn the Alexander Technique. He's suggested I do it, but there are no teachers near here. Have any of you done it, and if so, do you think one can learn it with books or videos or whatever?

Thanks!

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tigereye

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:02 PM
Response to Original message

1. you mean the body therapy?

I actually knew a few people who did it - but unfortunately I'm not in contact with em these days. I got the impression that one really needed training to learn it...

It always sounded like a very interesting therapeutic process.

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:23 PM
Response to Reply #1

3. Yeah, the body therapy.

It was developed by an actor, to help him relax and maintain his focus during performances. My friend says it does the same for preachers, musicians, and others who "perform". I'm interested in learning it, but can't find any teachers less than an hour away.

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Redstone

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:06 PM
Response to Original message

2. What is blazes is an "Alexander Technique?"

Redstone

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:27 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. Here's an explanation:

http://www.alexandertech.org/misc/whatisat.html

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Maine-ah

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:29 PM
Response to Original message

5. try this.

http://www.alexandertechnique.com/

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:42 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. That site is very helpful! Thanks! nt

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bbernardini

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:39 PM
Response to Original message

6. My piano teacher in college incorporated it into his lessons.

He's now a certified Alexander teacher. I think it can be really helpful, and I'd love to take some lessons if I could afford it.

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:44 PM
Response to Reply #6

8. Hmmm...I wonder if my piano teacher knows anything about it.

I'll have to ask. My friend--who suggested it--said it is commonly used by musicians and actors. My piano teacher studied at Oberlin and Yale. I would assume she's heard of it. I'll ask her about it.

Thanks for the thought!

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SPKrazy

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:46 PM
Response to Original message

9. I've heard of it, I think

that what I've heard is that it is pretty involved, posture training that is supposed to align your spine, and create overall wellness.

A few years back I was researching a lot of holistic methods for dealing with chronic pain problems as I worked in a pain clinic in a psychotherapy role.

:shrug:

don't know much about it but I am not sure how much you would get the hands on from the vids etc.

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #9

10. Yeah, the more I read, the more it looks like I need one-on-one

instruction. And there are no teachers around here, so that's pretty much that. I may get some books to read up on it, but I don't think I can do much more than that.

Thanks, SPK.

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tigereye

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Mon Nov-05-07 09:36 AM
Response to Reply #10

20. check out the more open-minded universities

one of my buddies who had worked wtih the teachnique was attached to a very open-minded psych dept. at uni here, with a philosophical bent.

Also I think a fair amount of Reiki or massage therapists may have some background in it.

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bbernardini

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #9

11. The videos are okay, but hands-on is key. (Link to some sample videos w/ my piano teacher.)

Edited on Sun Nov-04-07 10:00 PM by bbernardini

It's one of those things that just can't be fully grasped until a teacher puts his/her hands on you and guides you in the right direction.

Below is the video page from the website my former college teacher has for his Alexander teaching. If you're BitTorrent-savvy, I've seen a video featuring William Hurt that discusses and demonstrates it as well.

http://members.aol.com/atform/ordervideo.htm

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:56 PM
Response to Reply #11

12. I don't see a link. nt

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bbernardini

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Sun Nov-04-07 10:00 PM
Response to Reply #12

16. Oops! It's there now. nt

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 10:06 PM
Response to Reply #16

17. Thanks! nt

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DS1

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:56 PM
Response to Original message

13. It's called Tai Chi

end transmission

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #13

14. Well. there's no tai chi teacher here either.

I've been wanting to learn tai chi for years, but the closest teachers are in the 'burbs.

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DS1

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Sun Nov-04-07 09:59 PM
Response to Reply #14

15. Well, he's probably teaching you Tai Chi

it doesn't matter what it's called, so long as it work, right?

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Critters2

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Sun Nov-04-07 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #15

18. He's not my teacher (any more).

He's in Massachusetts, I'm in Illinois, but we talk frequently. He suggested I learn this technique, and it sounds interesting. Now I'm looking for a way to learn it.

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DS1

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Sun Nov-04-07 10:12 PM
Response to Reply #18

19. okay then

if I were in your situation, the first thing I would do is 'google' the name of the technique. Google isn't always the right answer, so search of a lot of its results, and also try different search engines. Google isn't by any means perfect.

Still, if you trust this guy, and you find out what it is, then go with it.

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Dora

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Mon Nov-05-07 03:08 PM
Response to Original message

21. My husband used it for lower-back pain.

It helped him a lot. He met with his teacher/practicioner 2-4 times a month. It did a lot to help him end bad habits of posture that were effecting his lower back and and his playing.

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